Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Fall River Daily News Wednesday, 11 January 1860 Terrible Calamity in Lawrence FALLING OF THE PEMBERTON MILLS 200 to 300 LIVES LOST Lawrence, Mass., Jan. 10 - 9 P.M. - One of the most terrible catastrophes on record occurred in this city this afternoon. The Pemberton Mills fell with a sudden crash about 5 o'clock, while some 600 or 700 operatives were at work. The mills are a complete wreck and 200 or 300 people are still supposed to be buried in the ruins. At present it is impossible to give anything like a correct account of the loss of life, but from the best authority, it is believe that at least two hun- dred are dead in the ruins. Eighteen dead bodies have already been taken out, and some 25 mortally wounded, besides some 50 in dif- ferent stages of mutilation. The agent of the mills, Mr. Chase, and the treasurer, Mr. Howe, escaped by running from the falling building. It is impossible as yet to tell the cause of the disaster. Our reporter has just come from the ruins, and the scenes there beggar all description. Some two or more acres of ground are piled up with every description of machinery and the fallen building. Huge bonfires are burning, to light some two or three thousand persons who are working for their lives to rescue the unfortunate persons, many of whom are still crying and begging to be released from their tortures. Every few minutes some poor wretch is dragged from his or her prison, and it is heart-rending to hear their cries as they are drawn out, with legs and arms crushed or torn out. One man shockingly mangled, and partly buried under the bricks, deliberately cut his own throat to end his agony. The whole city seems in mourning. Many people are running through the streets, and with frantic cries are searching the ruins. Temporary hospitals have been arranged for those who have been taken from the ruins. Many stand at the ruins, frigid with despair. Often a terrible crash, caused by the clearing away, threatens death to all those who may still be alive in the ruins. Gen. H. K. Oliver is active and conspicious in directing parties who are endeavoring to rescue the victims of the disaster. Gangs of men with ropes below, dragging out huge pieces of the wreck which imprison so many. Some of the rescuers are killed in their humane efforts. Since we left the scene of the disaster, reports are constantly coming to us of more dead and dying. Surgeons are coming in from every quarter, and everything that can be done for the suffering vic- tims of the fearful calamity, the mystery of which will have to be cleared up by an inquest. Second Dispatch Eleven P.M. - About 10 minutes of 5 o'clock this afternoon, our citizens were alarmed by the cry of fire, which proceeded from the Pemberton Mills, about four-fifths of which had fallen, a shapeless mass, without the slightest warning to nearly 800 human beings who were then at work therein. The building had never been considered as staunch as it ought to have been. It was built about seven years since, and was then thought a sham; indeed, before the machinery was put in, the walls spread to such a degree that some 22 tons of iron stays were put in to save the building from falling from its own weight. The building appeared from the best information that can now be gathered, to crumble and fall from the eastern corner, or end, towards the Duck Mill. It fell inwards, as if powerfully drawn that way. The fire companies at once repaired to the spot, but there being no fire, they at once set to work with a will to remove the rubbish. They very soon reached some of the rooms, so that the dead and wounded were taken out as fast as they could be reached. MR. CHARLES BATCHELDER helped remove some 26, in various conditions, some still living, others dead and terribly mutilated. MR. CHASE, the agent, and MR. HOWE, the treasurer, were both providentially saved. They were in the spinning room conversing, when, being warned by some unusual noise, both started for a door which was by orders strictly prohibited from being un- locked; but it being the only possible exit they tried it and found it unaccountably open. They had no more than made their escape when the part they had just left fell to the ground. Messrs. CLARK, TATTERSEN, MELVIN and WINN, overseers and clerk, are safe. MR. BRANCH, an overseer, has not been found, and it is supposed he is still under the ruins. The city hall has been converted into a tempo- rary hospital for the dead and wounded, to remain there until recognized by their friends. Scores of both dead and mangled and wounded are recog- nized when taken from the ruins, and immediately taken to their homes. The following wounded are now at the hall: Mary Ann Coleman, Ellen Cluuzy, Sarah Cole, Eliza Ward, Ellen Mahoney, Thomas Conner, Bridget Bradley, Kate Harkyee, Joannah Comery, Morris Palmer, George Hedolpha, Mrs. Freidler, Robert Hayes, _______ Courtney Mary York, Margaret Hamilton, Margaret Hanneghill, Mary Kennedy, Eliza Yaw. There are twenty-two corpses, only the following of which have been recognized: Mary McDonald, John Dearborn, Bridget Ryan, Margaret Sullivan, Mike O'Brien, and Mr. Palmer. MR. PALMER was deeply buried in the ruins at the time and thinking there was no possibility of being extricated cut his own throat to end his sufferings, but still he was extricated and lived some time after arriving at the hall. One woman in the part of the mill still standing became frightened, threw her bonnet and shawl out of a fifth story door, and then jumped out herself, breaking an arm and otherwise injuring herself so that she cannot recover. The laboring force of the mill was about 960, and it is supposed that about 700 beings were actually buried in the ruins. 11:30 P.M. - A woman has just been rescued who says there are some twenty-five more in the vicinity of the place whence she was extricated, still alive. One poor girl lies in the hall badly hurt, attend- ed by her mother, who had only entered the mill the day previous. An engine has just arrived from Manchester bring- ing four more physicians. Another Horror. About half-past 9 o'clock fire was discovered. - This additional horror, although somewhat apprehended, struck terror to the hearts that had heretofore been hopeful of saving more lives. Still the work of re- moval went briskly on. The force pumps in the vici- nity, and all the hand fire engines which had been left on the ground, at once got streams of water on the fire, and have kept pouring on torrents, so that now, at 11 1-2 o'clock, although volumes of smoke and steam are rising, yet the fire does not seem to gain, and it is certainly to be hoped that it has been stayed. Those near the breaking out of the fire were almost on the point of extricating a woman, not badly hurt, when the flames drove them back, and the woman is supposed to have perished in the flames when deliver- ance seemed so near. The Mayor has telegraphed to Lowell for the firemen of that city, who will arrive here about 1 o'clock. It is estimated that not less than 2000 able bodied men have been constantly at work on the ruins; but notwithstanding so many are at work in a small space, yet no accident that we can learn has occurred. Midnight - Calamity succeeds calamity. Within the past ten minutes the whole mass of ruins has become one sheet of flame. The screams and moanings of the poor, buried, burning and suffocating creatures, can be distinctly heard, but no power on earth can save them. Fourth Despatch - 2-1/2 o'clock A.M. - The Pember- ton Mills are now a flat, smoking mass. Brick, mortar and human bodies are promiscuously mingled. Probably not less than 200 human beings perished in the flames. The fire made quick burning, not only of the main buildings as they lay flat, but spread to the matierials that had been removed. The Washington Mills are in great jeopardy, the wind being toward the Duck Mill, the counting room of which almost touches the Pemberton, and it is feared they may be also sacrificed. ===========================================================================